Formed in Aberdeen, Washington, USA, in 1988, the Nirvana that the MTV generation came
to love comprised Kurt Cobain (b. Kurt Donald Cobain, 20 February 1967, Hoquiam,
Washington, USA, d. 5 April 1994, Seattle, Washington, USA; guitar/vocals), Krist
Novoselic (b. 16 May 1965, Croatia, Yugoslavia; bass) and Dave Grohl (b. 14 January
1969, Warren, Ohio, USA; drums). Grohl was 'something like our sixth drummer', explained
Cobain, and had been recruited from east coast band Dain Bramage, having previously
played with Scream, who recorded for Minor Threat 's influential Dischord Records label.
Their original drummer was Chad Channing; at one point Dinosaur Jr 's J. Mascis had been
touted as a permanent fixture, along with Dan Peters from "/bands/mudhoney/artist.jhtml".
Having been signed by the Seattle-based Sub Pop Records, the trio completed their debut
single, 'Love Buzz'/'Big Cheese', the former a song written and first recorded by 70s
Dutch act Shocking Blue. Second guitarist Jason Everman was then added prior to "Bleach",
which cost a meagre $600 to record. Though he was pictured on the cover, he played no
part in the actual recording (going on to join Mindfunk, via "/bands/soundgarden/artist.
jhtml" and Skunk). The set confirmed Nirvana's ability to match heavy riffs with melody
and it quickly attracted a cult following. However, Channing left the band following a
European tour, and as a likely replacement proved hard to find, Dan Peters from
labelmates Mudhoney stepped in on a temporary basis. He was featured on the single
'Sliver', Nirvana's sole 1990 release. New drummer David Grohl reaffirmed a sense of
stability. The revamped trio secured a prestigious contract with Geffen Records, whose
faith was rewarded with Nevermind, which broke the band worldwide. This was a startling
collection of songs that transcended structural boundaries, notably the distinctive slow
verse/fast chorus format, and almost single-handedly brought the 'grunge' subculture
overground. It topped the US charts early in 1992, eclipsing much-vaunted competition
from "/bands/jackson_michael/artist.jhtml" and "/bands/dire_straits/artist.jhtml" and
topped many Album Of The Year polls. The opening track, 'Smells Like Teen Spirit',
reached the US and UK Top 10, further confirmation that Nirvana now combined critical
and popular acclaim. In February 1992, the romance of Cobain and Courtney Love of
"/bands/hole/artist.jhtml" was sealed when the couple married (Love giving birth to a
daughter, Frances Bean). It was already obvious, however, that Cobain was struggling
with his new role as 'spokesman for a generation'. The first big story to break
concerned an article in Vanity Fayre that alleged Love had taken heroin while pregnant
; this saw the state intercede on the child's behalf by not allowing the Cobains alone
with the child during its first month. Press interviews ruminated on the difficulties
experienced in recording a follow-up album, and also revealed Cobain's use of a variety
of drugs in order to stem the pain arising from a stomach complaint. The recording of
In Utero, produced by Big Black / Rapeman alumnus Steve Albini, was not without
difficulties. Rumours circulated concerning confrontations with both Albini and record
company Geffen over the 'lo-fi' production. When the record was finally released, the
effect was not as immediate as Nevermind, although Cobain's songwriting remained
inspired on 'Penny Royal Tea', 'All Apologies' and the evocative 'Rape Me'. His descent
into self-destruction accelerated in 1994, however, as he went into a coma during dates
in Italy, before returning to Seattle to be killed on 5 April 1994. The man who had long
protested that Nirvana were 'merely' a punk band had finally been destroyed by the
success that overtook him and them. The wake conducted in the press was matched by public
demonstrations of affection and loss, which included suspected copycat suicides. The
release of MTV Unplugged In New York offered some small comfort for Cobain's fans, with
the singer's understated, aching delivery on a variety of cover versions and Nirvana
standards enduring as one of the most emotive sights and sounds of the 90s. Grohl
formed the excellent "/bands/foo_fighters/artist.jhtml", alongside ex- Germs guitarist
Pat Smear (who had added second guitar to previous touring engagements and the band's
MTV Unplugged appearance), following press rumours that Grohl would be working with
"/bands/pearl_jam/artist.jhtml" (much to Courtney Love's chagrin) or
"/bands/petty_tom/artist.jhtml". Novoselic formed Sweet 75 early in 1997.